‘I am very touched’ by article in Chronicle
I AM very touched by an article in the Thursday, November 19th edition of the Guyana Chronicle newspaper under the caption ‘Let the books speak’.

Guyana needs more teachers and persons like Beedoutie Prettipaul (the exemplary teacher featured in that article).

As a former employee of the Ministry of Education, (residing in the USA now) I applaud her and encourage all schools to take a leaf of her tree.
SEERIWATIE BERAN
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Problems with ID cards to be addressed during claims and objections
THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) acknowledges the concerns raised in the letter titled “Contradictory information from GECOM” (Stabroek News – 17.11.2009) and the letter from one Latchman Sookdeo (Stabroek News and Guyana Chronicle – 18.11.2009).

The letter in the Stabroek News of 17.11.2009 refers specifically to problems the letter writer supposedly encountered with the GECOM temporary staff, at the ID card distribution centre located at the West Ruimveldt Primary School, during his/her attempts to collect his/her ID card without the “pink slip”. Upon reading this letter, we launched an investigation to determine the veracity of the publicly raised concerns with the objective of taking remedial action if necessary. Regrettably, we are unaware of the particulars of the author of the letter and we therefore could not contact him/her directly.

The investigation has revealed that such a case involved a Ms. Iana Seals, who visited the distribution centre in question on 15.11.2009, to uplift her ID card. She did not possess the “pink slip” which would have alacratised the process leading to the delivery of her ID card. The photograph on the ID card in the name of Iana Seals did not match the facial features of the person who presented herself in this name. Therefore, the ID distribution staff, with consensus from both Scrutineers assigned to the centre, did not hand over the card. This, according to a documented statement which is signed by all of the ID card distribution staff, and the two Scrutineers, caused Ms. Seals to react unceremoniously. This reaction, again according to the statement, included a threat from Ms. Seals to, in her capacity of a journalist, publicise this matter via the media.

We are not making a definitive correlation that Ms. Iana Seals is in fact the letter writer; and we will not speculate whether she is. However, we hereby extend the opportunity to the letter writer to contact Mr. Vishnu Persaud, Public Relations Officer – GECOM with a view to bringing about acceptable resolution.

May we use this opportunity to categorically emphasise that the presentation of the “pink slip” is an important component which enables the acceleration of the ID card distribution process, since it makes the ID card easily traceable. This would have been pointed out to registrants at the time of their registration when they were given the “pink slip”. Even though the importance of the “pink slip” was made known to registrants at the time of registration, GECOM recognized that many persons would lose/misplace theirs, hence the Commission developed an administrative procedure to facilitate the delivery of ID cards to such persons. Again, however, we must point out that this auxiliary administrative procedure involves a time consuming exercise. For this reason, every effort should be made by registrants to present the respective “pink slips” when collecting their ID cards.

The problem concerning the photograph, as highlighted in the letter from Latchman Sookdeo, is not unknown to GECOM. We expected to encounter glitches, e.g poor photographs, (as in the case of Latchman Sookdeo) in the ID production system, especially since this system is being operated by humans and notwithstanding the extensive training provided to them. Accordingly, every ID card distribution centre is equipped with a digital camera, with instructions to retake registrants’ photographs which are found to be dissimilar to the facial features of the respective registrants. Seemingly, this instruction was not applied in the case of Latchman Sookdeo. Alternatively, affected persons will be afforded the opportunity to initiate remedial action during the Claims and Objections exercise for the upcoming Local Government Elections. The Claims and Objections exercise is scheduled to commence on December 7, 2009 within all of the 71 Local Government Areas i.e. 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and six Municipalities. We urge that such persons take advantage of this opportunity.

GECOM wishes to note that we consider it our responsibility to carry out our mandates with utmost efficiency to the satisfaction of all of our stakeholders. However, stakeholder cooperation and support is an essential prerequisite for us to optimally achieve our objectives. Consequently, we appeal to registrants to ensure that they present their “pink slips” when the go to uplift their ID cards. In so doing they would be contributing towards making the entire ID card distribution exercise a mutually satisfactory one.
VISHNU PERSAUD
Public Relations Officer
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Chicken farm poses severe health hazards
OFTEN in our society, we experience the harsh reality of the suffering of the ordinary citizens. Enduring the suffering, would automatically brought the question, is there a law for the poor, humble and law abiding citizen and none for the rich and wealthy? This is the real life situation we are experiencing in this country.

At Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara, there is a business entity and in this very yard there is a huge illegal Chicken Farm with thousands of chickens. This farm is a very serious health hazard to the residents of the neighbourhood. There is this constant stinking smell that envelopes the entire atmosphere and causes this burning sensation to the eyes and nose which result in unbearable discomfort and pain. Then there is dust that emanates from this farm that result in regular sneezing and coughing. This dust floats like clouds. To top it up, the flies of all description and the rats are increasing daily.

Editor, this discomfort we have had to endure for more than two years. The owners are just happy to create this environment of discomfort for the residents while they lavish in the spoils.

This situation was reported to many institutions but to date we are still enduring this discomfort. It seems that, the law for the poor, humble and law abiding citizen is to take it and keep quiet, while the rich and lawless rides way above, for there is no law for them to answer to.

It is hoped that by publishing this letter the relevant authorities will be reminded that this situation continue to exist and someone with a heart will venture to assist.
FRUSTRATED RESIDENT